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(NqModeL) 0. M, THOWLESS.-

APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING SODIUM, &c.

Patented Apr. 10, 1888.

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

ORLANDO M. THOWLESS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING SODIUM, 8w.

l-EEC'IFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,776, dated April 10, 1888.

Application filed Eovembor 5, 1887. Serial No. 254,424. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORLANDO M. THowLnss, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Producing Sodium or Potassium, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus adapted to be used for the production of sodium or potassium, and has for its object to provide an apparatus whereby a process may be carried on in which a larger yield of metal may be obtained, the process may be shortened, and the retorts rendered more durable. For this purpose the apparatus is so constructed and arranged that the carbonaceous material and, if desired, the substance containing the sodium or potassium can be heated before the latter is brought into contact with the carbonaceous material. In the construction of the apparatus a pot or retort located in a furnace is employed with a heating-chamber located in the flue of the furnace and connecting with the retort in the furnace by an adjustable door. The main retort has a supply-chute, and connects with suitable condensers.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters in the several figures refer to like parts, Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a front elevation; and Fig. 3 is a vertical lougitudinal central section of the reducing apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, A is the furnace, having a door, 13*.

B is theretort for containing the carbonaceous or other reducing material, which is to be fed into said retort through a hopper or chute, B, provided with a hinged or other suitable cover, B

Orepresents a chamber into which the canstic soda or other sodium compound is to be introduced through an opening, 0, closed by a sliding lid or cover, 0''. To provide for effect ing the preliminary heating of the sodium compound the furnace A is formed with a flue, A, extending beneath and partially around the chamber 0. The passage of the sodium compound from chamber 0 into retort B is regulated and controlled by a sliding door or gate, D.

E is the condenser, constructed in a wellknown manner, and connected by means of a pipe, F, with the space above the retort B. The pipe F is provided with acheck-valve or stop-valve, F, and also, if desired, with suitable vent-valves. ble number of condensers may be used in combination with one retort,or two or more retorts may be used with one condenser.

The retort B is provided with a door, B ,so that the waste material may be raked out, or the retort cleaned when necessary. The retort may be advantageously lined with plum bago, gas-carbon, or other suitable refractory material.. The several parts described-retorts, flues, condensers, &c.-are made of metal.

The construction of the apparatus above described may be modified, and I therefore do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth.

In employing the apparatus the caustic soda or other sodium compound,afl:er being heated in the chamber 0, passes or is fed gradually into retort B, by means of door D,and, coming into contact with the heated reducing material therein, is rapidly decomposed or broken up, so that sodium vapor is evolved. This vapor passes through the pipe F into the condenser E. The process, by means of this apparatus, can be carried on at a considerablylower temperature than is usually employed, and consequently the pots or retorts will last much longer than before.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is 1. An apparatus for obtaining sodium or potassium, consisting of a retort located in a furnace, and having a supply-chute, a side chamber exposed to the heat of the furnace and connecting with the retort in the furnace, and having a regulating-door adapted to ad justably close the connectiomand a condenser, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for obtaining sodium or potassium, the combination, with furnace A, having flue A, of retort B, having chute B with cover B chamber G, having door D, and a condenser, E, connected with retort B by pipe F, having stop-valve F, substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name.

ORLANDO M. THO'WLESS.

Witnesses:

O. O. HERRIOK, A. J. MIToHEL.

It is obvious that any suita- 

